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Murray paid $9,000 for state car he crashed

By Matt Murphy, State House News Service

Updated:
10/08/2012 03:47:06 PM EDT

BOSTON -- Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray paid nearly $9,000 from his personal checking account to cover the cost of the state-owned Crown Victoria he crashed in the early-morning hours of Nov. 2 last year while traveling on Interstate 190 in Sterling, according to the Patrick administration.

In response to requests for proof that Murray followed through on his promise to reimburse the state for the cost of the totaled vehicle, the administration released a letter from the Operational Services Division indicating that Murray provided a check for $8,965.67 to cover the cost of the car on June 14 and the money was deposited into the state's general fund.

The value of the car was determined by taking the average of three trade-in values determined by the Kelly Blue Book, the Black Book and NADA Guide.

While the average value for the car was determined to be $9,515.67, the state sold the damaged vehicle at auction on May 18 for $550, leaving Murray to cover the difference, according to Gary Lambert, assistant secretary for operational services.

Lambert said the Office of Vehicle Management's policy and enabling legislation does not require state employees who are issued vehicles to reimburse the state for losses.

Murray was also previously fined $555 for speeding, marked-lanes violations and for not wearing a seatbelt after the crash that did serious damage to his political reputation.

Murray has said he was out surveying storm damage that morning before work when he believes he fell asleep at the wheel and inadvertently accelerated to 108 mph, crashing off the shoulder of the highway and escaping largely uninjured.

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In the aftermath of the crash, Murray's description of the events, including whether he was wearing a seatbelt at the time, changed, but he has always maintained he was not talking on his cellphone.

The administration has declined to release the lieutenant governor's cellphone records for that morning, claiming the detailed records do not exist.

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